a: to have recourse to as an instrument for doing something <take a scythe to the weeds>

b: to use as a means of transportation or progression <take the bus>

c: to have recourse to for safety or refuge <take shelter>

d: to go along, into, or through <took a different route>

e (1): to proceed to occupy <take a seat in the rear>(2): to use up (as space or time) <takes a long time to dry>(3):need, require<takes a size nine shoe><it takes two to start a fight>

11

a: to obtain by deriving from a source :draw<takes its title from the name of the hero>

b (1): to obtain as the result of a special procedure :ascertain<take the temperature><take a census>(2): to get in or as if in writing <take notes><take an inventory>(3): to get by drawing or painting or by photography <take a snapshot>(4): to get by transference from one surface to another <take a proof><take fingerprints>

12

: to receive or accept whether willingly or reluctantly <take a bribe><will you take this call><take a bet>: as

a (1): to submit to :endure<take a cut in pay>(2):withstand<it will take a lot of punishment>(3):suffer<took a direct hit>

b (1): to accept as true :believe<I'll take your word for it>(2):follow<take my advice>(3): to accept or regard with the mind in a specified way <took the news hard><you take yourself too seriously>

c: to indulge in and enjoy <was taking his ease on the porch>

d: to receive or accept as a return (as in payment, compensation, or reparation) <we don't take credit cards>

e: to accept in a usually professional relationship —often used with on<agreed to take him on as a client>

f: to refrain from hitting at (a pitched ball) <take a strike>

13

a (1): to let in :admit<the boat was taking water fast>(2):accommodate<the suitcase wouldn't take another thing>

b: to be affected injuriously by (as a disease) :contract<take cold>; also: to be seized by <take a fit><take fright>

c: to absorb or become impregnated with (as dye); also: to be effectively treated by <a surface that takes a fine polish>

Synonym Discussion of TAKE

take, seize, grasp, clutch, snatch, grab mean to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand. take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control <take some salad from the bowl>. seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible <seized the suspect>. grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession <grasp the handle and pull>. clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding <clutching her purse>. snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize<snatched a doughnut and ran>. grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch<grabbed roughly by the arm>.